Pablo Rodriguez says he's 'comfortable' with suspense over Quebec Liberal leadership

Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez speaks to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Spencer Colby, The Canadian Press)

Halifax -

Justin Trudeau's political lieutenant for Quebec and federal transport minister, Pablo Rodriguez, says he still hasn't decided whether he will run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP).

But he says he's not uncomfortable leaving the suspense hanging as he rubs shoulders with his colleagues during a three-day federal cabinet retreat.

"I'm very comfortable. I'm very comfortable," he insisted to reporters who questioned him in Halifax on Monday about the fact that he is sitting between two chairs with Quebec.

When asked why he was taking so long to make a decision, Rodriguez explained that he did not intend to repeat himself and had nothing to announce at the moment.

"You know me. You know me very well. I'm always very direct. I come to see you. I like to see you. I never hide. And I come to you when I have things to say," he said.

He was also asked if he was waiting until after the byelection in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, a stronghold the federal Liberals can't afford to lose, to announce his decision to bow out.

"I want to salute our candidate in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun who is really excellent ... I had the chance to go door-to-door with her, a person who is really in touch with the realities on the ground, who is close to her people, who understands local issues," he said.

However, a source within the PLQ told The Canadian Press that people in Rodriguez's entourage were taking steps behind the scenes with a view to a possible leadership bid and that it would be very surprising if the federal minister did not take the plunge.

Questioned earlier this morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that "Pablo will make his own decisions."

"But what does it say about the state of the troops that an influential minister has his foot in the door and is seriously considering bowing out? It doesn't say much about anyone," said Trudeau. "Everyone is going to make their own choice."

The Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, whose name had been circulating for several months in the wings for the PLQ leadership, confirmed that he had ruled out running for the leadership. He reiterated that "it takes strong voices from Quebec in Ottawa to move Quebec and the whole country forward."

Two candidates confirmed

For the moment, only the former mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, and the former president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), Charles Milliard, have officially stepped forward to succeed Dominique Anglade.

Two weeks ago, Milliard told The Canadian Press that Justin Trudeau's team had approached him to run in the LaSalle-Émard-Verdun byelection. He said he had "considered" and then "turned down" the offer to concentrate on the provincial Liberal leadership race.

The mayor of Victoriaville, Antoine Tardif, is also being courted for the Liberal leadership and has not closed the door on a run.

Frédéric Beauchemin, the PLQ MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, continues to say that he is considering it but should make his move soon.

The QLP leadership race is due to begin in January 2025. The next Liberal leader will be chosen in the summer of that year. 

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 26, 2024.